The present keeps slipping off your skin like the lace of a mourning veil and you're not too sure if it matters any longer. But didn't you hear? The sun reset itself again. So don't you forget to breathe, my love. You have been through the worst of it; you will get through what is to come.

__________

This was the longest year of my life, felt like it went on forever. It's partly because of all the highs and lows. So much has happened but at the same time it feels like nothing has happened either. It's a confusing dynamic and I've forgotten about most things. I think I'll find out soon enough if I'm just protecting myself from it or if I've simply accepted it and moved on.

I learned so much this year. Mostly about myself and how we as humans affect the people around us. It was both a very intensely beautiful yet tragic experience. I also learned not to pick things apart. Sometimes, things are exactly what they seem and I need to lift my head up and accept it for what it is. I'm glad I did so many things that I loved and met some amazing people on the way.

I wrote down a bunch of goals for the new year, as you do, and a lot of it involves self love. I want to be a better person than I was yesterday and the only way I can do that is if I love myself unconditionally. I've been at it for awhile but it is my main focus now. I want to stop criticizing and sabotaging my own work because it's become detrimental to my mental health. I'm not aiming for perfection, I'm aiming for simply being content with the idea that this is who I am.

Finally, I wish you a very Happy New Year! I hope you take this time to reflect and build on the positives and really come to terms with the lessons you have been taught by the negatives. Don't take the burdens with you, though. I wish you nothing but peace, love, and happiness.

All my love as always,

Rythma.